Forms of Reckless Driving Behavior
By Space Coast Daily // October 24, 2022
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 42,000 people died in traffic collisions in 2021, the highest figure recorded in 16 years. While accidents are often unintended occurrences, some actions, such as reckless driving, can significantly increase the chances of getting in a crash.
Reckless driving is driving in a manner that is in blatant disregard for the safety of others. If you are harmed in a reckless driver-related accident, involving your lawyer can help you look into the possibility of recovering punitive damages from the responsible party.
DUI
The worst form of reckless driving is driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. While most states have a 0.08% BAC limit, no amount of alcohol in the blood is 100% safe. So to be safe, avoid alcohol altogether while on the road.
“It does not have to be you that is intoxicated. Other drivers can also drive while intoxicated and could potentially hit you even when you have done everything to ensure road safety,” says The Reaves Law Firm.
So you may need to look for drunk drivers and avoid driving near or behind them. Some indicators of DUI include erratic braking and acceleration, driving too slow for the posted speed limit, and physical signs of intoxication.
Speeding
Speed can be thrilling, but it can also kill. The probability of getting into a car accident increases with the speed of a vehicle.
Unfortunately, speeding drivers not only poses a risk to themselves but also to other drivers. If a high-speed accident harms other road users, the at-fault driver can face criminal charges alongside paying damages suffered by the victim.
Distracted Driving and Tailgating
Distracted driving also ranks high in the list of forms of reckless driving. A driver is distracted when their mind is focused on something rather than operating the vehicle. Common distractions include making or receiving calls while on the wheel, texting, eating, fixing your makeup, getting lost in conversations, flipping channels on the radio, etc.
Tailgating is also among the worst forms of reckless driving. It involves driving too closely to the car in front. When driving on a highway, your following distance should be around two to three seconds behind the vehicle in front. Leaving a safe distance allows you time to stop should the driver come to a sudden stop.
Tailgaters fall into two categories; passive and aggressive tailgaters. A passive tailgater doesn’t do it intentionally. Aggressive tailgaters follow closely with the intent to intimidate or even hit the vehicle ahead of them if they feel like they have done something they do not like. If you get in a tailgating situation, staying calm is essential to avoid escalating the situation or reacting in a manner that could cause an accident.
Disregard for Traffic Rules
Many accidents happen at intersections due to some drivers’ blatant disregard for traffic signs and rules. Actions such as running a red light and not yielding fall under reckless driving because the offender knows what they should do, but fails to do it.
Another form of reckless driving is weaving in and out of lanes. Weaving in and out of lanes makes other road users confused about the intentions of the driver, thus increasing the chances of getting into an accident.
